Manchester United star has entered “different realm” under Ruben Amorim, he’s extremely important

Manchester United fans were doubting Lisandro Martínez earlier in the season but he has quickly become one of Ruben Amorim’s most important players.

Lisandro Martínez was excellent in his debut campaign at Manchester United after his summer move from Ajax in the summer of 2022.

His availability in the following season was very patchy following the foot injury he suffered at the end of the 2022/23 season.

The Argentine still managed to be very important in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May 2024, playing alongside Raphaël Varane at the heart of the defence.

At the beginning of this season, however, there were question marks over the defender and whether he had been impacted by the different injury issues he had.

Throughout the season he has been caught out defensively on a number of occasions and when Ruben Amorim’s appointment was made, there was a feeling amongst some supporters that Martínez could not play as one of the wide centre-backs in the system.

Martínez becoming crucial for Amorim’s system at United

While there have still been some issues for Martínez under the new head coach, it has quickly become apparent that he is extremely useful in this new system.

Being part of a three-man defence, the wide centre-backs are given more licence to move forward and be part of attacks, and Martínez has taken full advantage of that freedom.

The 26-year-old is one of the best centre-backs in the world when it comes to passing, and that has been displayed even more in recent months.

Whether it be his through-ball to Amad for the winner against Manchester City or various other chances he’s created – like for Kobbie Mainoo versus FCSB – the defender is showing his ability.

Some fans have even suggested that Martínez has “entered a different realm” in terms of his ball-playing ability under Amorim, and he will almost certainly win the club’s Player of the Month award for January after goals against Liverpool and Fulham.

In a system where so much of the progression ends up coming from the defenders, Martínez is crucial for what Amorim wants to do.

While he can sometimes end up being exposed in certain defensive situations, you would do well to find a player who has better defensive capabilities without sacrificing some of the on-ball ability that Martínez offers.

Mazraoui the best option alongside Martínez

United do not have any issues on that left side of defence, for now, in terms of ball playing. Martínez, as explained, offers exactly what Amorim wants on the ball.

However, there are question marks over the options on the other side as Matthijs de Ligt is better centrally, as is Harry Maguire, and Leny Yoro is still developing his game.

Noussair Mazraoui seems like the best option on that opposite side for what Amorim wants, with the right-back constantly looking for progressive solutions whenever he’s playing in that position.

At right wing-back, the Moroccan does not offer as much to the team but is able to provide much more to the team in the back three.

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Currently, it seems like Amorim’s best options in those wide centre-back roles are Martínez and Mazraoui. It will be interesting to see if he sticks with them after promising displays against FCSB.

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